Display devices



Nov. 13, 1962 E. M. DILLON 3,063,180

[DISPLAY DEVICES Filed Oct. 29, 1959 FIGS FIG-4 F|G.5 F|G.6

FIG. 8 W 38 INVENTOR,

EDWARD M. DILLON,

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,063,180 DISPLAY DEVICES Edward M.Dillon, New York, N.Y., assignor of onesixth each to George Morgese,Huntington, Louis Perrone, Plainview, Peter Gabriel, Long Island City,Harry Littman, Mount Vernon, and James R. Kellogg, Richmond, N.Y.

Filed Oct. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 849,51 2 Claims. (Cl. 40-32) The presentinvention relates to display devices and more particularly to the typein which cards bearing indicia appear successively at a window in apanel; said cards being hingedly joined to form an endless belt which isdriven by a rotatable member over which the belt rides; such drivingmember rotating continuously during operation of said device.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved displaydevice of the character mentioned, in which there occurs an' automatichalt of each card successively as they assume full framed position atthe window respectively, though the driving member continues in motion.

A further object thereof is to provide a novel and improved displaydevice of the nature set forth, in which the halt or dwell is for anappreciable interval.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel and improved display devicehaving the feature mentioned, which is of simple construction, easy andreasonably cheap to manufacture and eflicient in carrying out thepurposes for which is is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume, is to have amotor-driven horizontal shaft carrying a vane. An endless belt made ofidentical rectangular panels in hinged relation across the belt, sits onsaid vane and depends downwardly therefrom; said vane being in contactof course with the inner surface of said belt. The outer surface of eachpanel has any desired indicia thereon. This belt, propelled by the vane,rides past and against a window in a stationary wall panel. The window,which may be a mere cut-out, is of a size which is within the confinesof a belt panel. In one embodiment of this invention, the shaft iscentrally of the vane and the width of the vane is that of a belt panel.Although the vane rotates continuously, there automatically occurs adwell or rest in belt movement for a discernable interval when each beltpanel is framed by the window respectively. In another embodiment taughtherein, the vane extends only to one side of the shaft; the width of thevane in such instance being half the dimension of a belt panel along thebelt. The belt, the vane and the stationary frame structure having thewindow, may all be of cardboard, or of other suitable materials. Alldimensions mentioned, are along the inside surface of the belt.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device embodying the teachings ofthis invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof shown in perspective.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken at line 33 in FIG. 2; the vanebeing shown horizontal.

FIGS. 4-6 are sections similar to FIG. 3, with the front panel which hasthe window omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the vane in position after it has moved a bit from itsposition shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 employs a vane of modified construction.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of FIG. 5, after the vane has moved a bitfrom its position shown in FIG. 5.

3,063,180 Patented Nov. 13, 1962 "ice FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofthe vane included in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vane made of wire and as shown here,is adaptable for use in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawn to a scale somewhat smaller than that of theother figures.

In the drawing, the numeral 15 designates generally a display devicehaving a front wall panel 16, whose window cut-out 17 is of a size toframe one of the equi-sized indicia-bearing, rectangular panels 18-23which are hinged together to form an endless belt denoted generally as24. This belt is around the vane 25, from which it hangs downwardly.This vane is of course against the inside surface of the belt and theindicia as 18', 19 22, are on the outer surface of the respective panels18, 19, 22. The horizontal shaft 26 carrying the vane 25, is driven byan electric motor 27 which is powered by dry cells not shown. The beltpanels are freely hinged along the lines indicated at 28-33. Anysuitable means, as for instance the wire 34 fixed on the frame 35,serves to hold the belt panel which is at window position, fiat againstthe inner surface of the wall panel 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the vane width is equal tothe distance between two successive hinge lines, along the belt; theshaft 26, being centrally of said vane 25. In the modified constructionshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vane 25 is only to one side of the shaft 26,and is of a width equal to half the distance between successive hingeline on the belt 24.

In the FIGS. 3-6, the indicia 22' on the belt panel 22 is framed by thewindow 17, and the direction of rotation of the continuously rotatingshaft 26 is counter-clockwise, though it may be operated'in eitherdirection. The panel 22 is brought to such viewing position when thevane 25 has assumed horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3, or when thevane 25 has assumed horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5. For eachrevolution of the shaft 26, in either embodiment, a new belt panel ispresented at the window 17, because the rotating vane propels the belt24 by engagement therewith at a hinge line on said belt.

It is to be noted that due to the restriction and friction imposed onthe belt 24 by the guide wire 34, there is an interval of movement ofthe vane 25 from its hori zontal position in FIG. 3 to its partial turnposition as shown in FIG. 4, during which the belt is shifted by contactof the vane 25 with the belt at axis line 30, but panels 21 and 22remain at rest while the hinge lines 31, 33 and 28 merely fold. Thisdwell condition continues a slight interval, but very soon, beltmovement again commences. This dwell occurs every time a belt panel hascome to proper position to be viewed through the window 17.

The wire 34 holds the panel at window position against the front framepanel 16, and such wire is positioned outside the locus of movement ofthe vane or being thin and the vane flexible, the vane would pass itwhile being driven by the motor 27.

To accomplish a much longer dwell period, the half vane 25 is used asincluded in the FIGS. 5 and 6. It is evident that the belt 24 willremain at rest a half turn of the shaft 26 during each revolution of thesaid shaft.

In each instance mentioned, the dwell period commences at the instantthe belt has assumed a position where one of its panels is framed by theWindow. Motor speed of course is relatively slow. Belt panels arerelatively stiff. The belt may be made of one piece of cardboard whichscore line thereacross to serve as the hinge lines between panels. Insuch instance a miniature motor 27 may be used and the whole structurebe rather cheap in cost. The face of the stationary wall panel 16 andthe viewable panel surfaces may carry any desired advertising ordecorative indicia.

The vanes 25, 25' may be of cardboard and it is to be noted that bymaking the vane flexible, the dwell period may be somewhat augmentedbecause the vane in engaging the hinge line as 30, would bend a littlethereafter, become flexed and then unbend. This would add to the timethe vane begins its actual propulsion of the belt 24. To make the vanemore flexible, it may be provided with openings as 35 and the vane maybe made of two thin perforated sheets 36, 37 pasted together andmounting the shaft 26 between them as is shown in FIG. 7. Also, thevanes may be of open wire structure; one example being shown in FIG. 8where the numeral 38 indicates welded joints of the assembly to indicateone manner of construction.

If desired, the belt 24 may be transparent or translucent and offeredillumination by an electric bulb (not shown) placed between its flights.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein bedeemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall coverall patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to thefollowing claims rather than to the specific description herein toindicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a display device of the character described, a frame including aWall panel having a Window, a series of panels hingedly connectedsubstantially end to end to form an endless belt; all belt panels beingof equal length along said belt, a horizontal shaft journalled on theframe behind the wall panel, a vane carried on said shaft, extendingonly to oneside of the shaft, a distance substantially equal to half thedistance between successive hinge connections; said belt being behindsaid wall panel, around said vane and suspended downwardly therefrom,supported by said vane, and said belt covering said window, means onsaid frame holding a belt panel against the window panel and means forcontinuously rotating said shaft.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1, wherein the vane has flexiblequality.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS149,340 Roulstone Apr. 7, 1874 512,163 Dales Jan. 2, 1894 654,778Boschen July 31, 1900 678,936 Bronori July 23, 1901 943,893 Rider Dec.21, 1909 945,652 Weniger Jan. 4, 1910 966,083 Cochran Aug. 2, 19101,072,861 Koike Sept. 9, 1913 1,078,742 Mevis Nov. 18, 1913 1,330,991Tas Feb. 17, 1920 1,816,716 Beddison July 28, 1931 2,066,662 WheelerJan. 5, 1937 2,679,705 Rainous June 1, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 710,677Great Britain June 16, 1954

